|
By Brigitte Jones and Christina Hitchcock
Official Notice
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3b of Article IX (National Convention) of the BVA National Bylaws, all members of the Blinded Veterans Association in good standing are hereby notified that the BVA 61st National Convention will be held at the Buffalo Niagara Adams Mark Hotel, 120 Church Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, from Tuesday, August 15, through Saturday, August 19, 2006. Periodic updates regarding the convention will be posted on the BVA website on a newly created convention page.
BVA members in good standing who wish to vote by proxy may request a form by writing or calling the Administrative Director at BVA National Headquarters no later than 45 days before the opening day of the 61st National Convention. Because the convention’s opening day is August 15, the deadline for requesting a proxy form is July 1, 2006.
In compliance with Section 2c of Article IX, the proxy form must be completed and returned to BVA National Headquarters (Attn: Administrative Director). To be considered valid, the envelope containing the form must be postmarked no later than 21 days before the opening date of the convention. The due date is therefore July 25, 2006.
Important Dates
and Deadlines
BVA National Headquarters distributed notices during January regarding nominations for Certificates of Appreciation, Maas and Diener Awards, the Wilburn H. Long Employment Award, and the David L. Schnair Volunteer Service Award. These actions occurred in compliance with articles within the BVA national bylaws.
A reminder was also mailed to regional group presidents and secretaries on March 13 regarding the due date for submission of bylaw amendments for consideration at the convention. A mailing to all BVA members in good standing and residing in Districts 1 and 2 will occur on or before March 18 (150 days leading up to August 15). The mailing will call for nominations for District Director. Three copies of the credentials form will be mailed on April 3 to each regional group president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Both regional groups and individuals should refer to the following timeline in preparing for the convention. Items listed include actions required by the Association’s national headquarters, regional groups, and individuals. Questions can be addressed by calling BVA National Headquarters at 800-669-7079. Asterisks indicate actions required by the BVA National Bylaws.
April 17* -- Nominations for BVA Certificates of Appreciation, the Maas and Diener Awards, the Long Employment Award, and the Schnair Service Award all due at national headquarters.
2. Mid-April*-- 61st National Convention pre-registration package prepared and sent to printer.
May 7 (no earlier than 100 days before convention) -- Earliest date to mail pre-registration package and official convention notice to potential attendees.
May 17 (no earlier than 90 days before convention) -- Earliest date to distribute ballots for District 1 and 2 elections to district members.
May 17 (no later than 90 days before convention) -- Envelopes containing bylaw amendments must be directed to national headquarters and postmarked.
May 17 (no earlier than 90 days before convention) -- Earliest date to mail proposed bylaw amendments to members in good standing.
May 17 (90 days before convention and 60 days following original mail call referred to above) -- Nominations for regular elections of District Directors 1 and 2 due at national headquarters.
June 1 (no later than 75 days before convention) -- Latest date to mail pre-registration package and official convention notice from national headquarters.
June 6 (no later than 70 days before convention) -- Latest date for national headquarters to mail ballots for regular elections of Directors of Districts 1 and 2.
June 15* -- National headquarters mails annual financial report forms (three copies) to treasurers of regional groups.
July 1 -- Ballots for regular elections for Directors of Districts 1 and 2 must be postmarked no later than midnight.
July 1 (no later than 45 days before convention) -- Latest date to mail proposed bylaw amendments to members in good standing.
July 6 (no later than 40 days before convention) -- Regional group meeting notices to elect convention delegates must be mailed to group members. A copy of the notice must also be mailed to national headquarters at the same time it is mailed to the membership.
July 11 (35 days before convention) -- National headquarters counts election ballots for regular election of Director of Districts 1 and 2.
July 25 (21 days before convention) -- Completed delegate credentials forms and proxy forms must be postmarked no later than midnight.
|
